Kitchen Remodel Ideas If You Plan to Move

You need every advantage you can get if you are thinking of selling your house soon in this tough economic market. A kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to make your home more desirable to potential buyers.

Now, you may be thinking of the extensive transformations that were taking place a few years Sure, that kind of remodel will certainly make your home more desirable but it is not always practical economically if you plan to move soon. Is there a way to spruce up the kitchen without breaking the bank? Yes! Lets talk about a few of the methods.

One of the easiest things you can do is replace the cabinetry hardware. After many years it can look really dull and "used". Simply buying new handles or pulls which can range from $3 to $10 each is very inexpensive way to put a little more life into your kitchen. It requires basic tools and handyman skills to accomplish. Just make sure that any handles you buy are the same width as your original handles or the hole in the drawers and cabinets won't line up.

Another option for cabinets is refacement. With this procedure, you leave the cabinet boxes in place and resurface them with laminate sheeting. The doors and drawers are replaced. In this fashion, you get a new cabinet look at a fraction of the cost. Refacement kits can be purchased at home improvement centers and require moderate do-it-yourself skills.

Additionally, you can work with a tile contractor and have them install a new floor. Brand new tile looks sharp and give the room a new look wall-to-wall. It can really remake the whole feel of a kitchen. Plus, as compared to other upgrades for a kitchen, it is not overly expensive.

Another great option is replacing the countertops. There are a number of solid surface countertop materials that are much less expensive than granite or other stone and look much better than laminate. Corian is a popular brand of solid surface countertops that comes in a range of colors and styles.

Of course, if you plan to stay in a home for a number of years you can achieve the best of both worlds with a more comprehensive remodel. You can enjoy the newly remodeled kitchen and the extra conveniences yourself and obtain a higher selling price when you do decide to move. To explore options that make sense, call an experienced remodeling company and have them evaluate your kitchen. They will be able to suggest enhancements that you will enjoy without breaking the bank!

For additional information on the topic of kitchen and home remodeling visit Titus Contracting, LLC. Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting LLC. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

11 Ways to Protect Yourself From Getting Hammered by a General Contractor

The smell of sawdust wafting through the air, the sounds of hammers and saws, stacks of building supplies, and workers in hardhats...yes, it looks like someone is having some construction work done! And while all of the pieces and players are in place and all appears to be in order, looks can be deceiving. In fact, if you have hired a contractor that you know very little about then until the project is completed and proven acceptable, there is likely a certain amount of trepidation...unless, you have done your homework.

Before having any home or office remodel done, it is an absolute must that you take the time to protect yourself and your investments by doing all you can to make sure that your contractor is everything they should be. Sad to say, just because you have spent the time getting an assortment of bids, contacting the Better Business Bureau, checking with state and local consumer protection agencies, the local authorities in regard to any licensing or banding requirements and a host of other background related details, you still need to go a few steps farther to protect yourself from getting hammered at the end of the job.

Write It Down!

Once you have found the contractor for your job, you need more than a gentleman's agreement. You are making a choice to spend a great deal of money and you need to make sure you understand what the cost will cover. Consequently, you need to get all agreements and promises in writing, before anything else is done. In addition, there is no crime in asking for clarification of any part of the contract you don't understand. If you don't understand something or are not in agreement, don't sign the contract! A general construction contract should include:

1. The contractor's name, address, phone number and fax number
2. A detailed description of all the work to be done
3. A description of materials-this includes brand names, size, weight, color, etc...
4. Beginning and finishing dates
5. Payment schedule. You want to pay as little up front as possible and make payments throughout the course of the project, with the right to withhold payment if at any time the work does not meet your satisfaction. Don't agree to financing arrangements you cannot afford.
6. Any guarantees that the contractor is making or warranties regarding the workmanship
7. A statement allowing you to cancel the contract based on the laws of your state.
8. A statement allowing you to cancel the contract after work has begun if you find unexpected or hidden problems once the job has been started.
9. The contractor's responsibility to secure permits; if you have to get the permit, do not sign!
10. The bonding and licensing numbers of the contractor
11. The contractor is responsible for paying any subcontractors, supply costs, equipment rentals, etc. before you make the final payment. If this is not done, you become liable for the charges!

Don't be pressured into signing a contract that you have not read through or don't understand!

For additional information on the topic of general contractors visit Titus Contracting LLC. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting LLC. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Home Theater or Game Rooms - Basement Remodels Can Be the Most Rewarding for the Whole Family

Builders and contractors generally build with general appeal in mind. Remodels or home additions, however, should not be generic, but incorporate specifics ideas and desires of the home owner. There can be some confusion in this area. Home owners are not contractors and therefore probably do not know what features and construction is possible. A good contractor will be able to suggest several options, but there will be many more that may not be mentioned.

Remodeling the existing interior of a home, whether it is the finishing of a basement, installation of a theater room or installing a wet bar and game room, can be much more challenging and costly than building a whole new addition. With a remodel, the contractor needs to work with the existing architectural style and crucial supporting members of the building framework.

Limitations such as these will help to keep the cost of a remodel at reasonable expectations. Anytime the home owner insists on changes affecting the structural integrity of the home, such as moving or eliminating a load bearing wall, the costs can increase by thousands upon thousands of dollars and add an extensive amount of time to the estimated completion date. Any changes done to the structural support of the home should be evaluated by an engineer before any work is performed. Some contractors will have the engineering expertise to properly examine this scenario. Many contractors do not, so it is best clarify.

The basic finishing of a basement will most likely be the most inexpensive remodel a home owner can have done. Many home owners of the male persuasion, however, may want a little more than just standard drywall, paint and carpeting. Basements are actually a perfect area for what has been deemed a "man cave". Fortunately these areas usually take the form of a home theater room to be enjoyed by the entire family.

Aside from having a good quality home theater surround sound system, it is important for the space to be as "dimensionally balanced" as possible. Any odd shaped room or an L-shaped room can pose certain challenges. Any flat and reflective surfaces with regards to sound can create some undesirable reverberation. Having sound absorbing material on the ceiling, walls and floor can go a long way in creating that movie theater experience.

An additional option to the basic panorama arrangement of sofas and chair is to have the contractor build a raked seating area. Having the seating elevated on a series of stepped levels may not be possible, depending on the height of the ceiling in the basement. Raking the seating area will of course add expense to the project.

Other niceties a home owner may consider are installing a bar or creating a game room area providing the basement is expansive enough. Keep in mind that if there is no provision for plumbing in the basement, adding just a simple sink to wash bar glasses can be a surprisingly pricey addition. Adding a dumb waiter may be an old-fashioned possibility fix and may not be as expensive as running new plumbing throughout the basement.

For additional information on the topic of kitchen and bath remodels, as well as home additions visit http://www.tituscontracting.com.